Metallic envelop-closure.



No. 697,960. Patented Apr. 22', I902.

a. E. ADAMS.

MEIALLIG ENVELUP CLOSURE.

(Application flied May 31. 1901.

(No Model.)

UTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE E. ADAMS, OF NE\V BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

M ETALLIC E NVELOP-CLOSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,960, dated April 22, 1902.

Application filed May 31, 1901. Serial No. 62,611. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown thatl, GEORGE E.A1)A1ns,acitizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, in the county of Hartford, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Envelop-Closures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to an improved means for securing the flaps of sample-envelops or similar receptacles, the objects of the invention being to provide a device which will lie flat without increasing the thickness of the envelop to a material extent and which shall have a maximum efficiency as a securing means and require a minimum effort to secure or release the same. i

A further object of the invention is to produce a device which may be applied to envelops or packages adapted to be stacked in flat condition before use, so as to facilitate handling and storage.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a section of an envelop with the flap secured by a fastener embodying my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a section on the line a a. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fastener before its application to the envelop. Fig. dis a side elevation of the fastener applied to an envelop and with the prongs turned up ready to be passed through the cooperating eyelet or flap.

Like letters of reference refer to same parts in all the figures.

The body of the envelop or receptacle is indicated by the letter A, while the closing-flap is indicated bythe letter B, such parts being of any usual or preferred typeas, for instance, the ordinary sample-mailing envelops adapted to be opened for inspection by the post-office authorities. The flap may be provided with a strengthening-eyelet C, although this is desirable only where greater strength is required than would be afforded by the material constituting the flap itself were the prongs of the fastener passed directly through the same.

The fastener itself consists of a bodyportion in the form of an eyelet adapted to be secured to the envelop by an eyeleting apparatus of any approved pattern, while on opposite sides the flange of the eyelet is extended in the form of oppositely-projecting prongs, the flange of theeyelet and base of the prongs being cut away to form reduced portions in which the bending will take, place, thereby permitting the outer portions of the prongs to remain practically straight, so as to lie flat against the envelop both before and after the flap is secured.

The letter D indicates the body of the eye let, (1 the flange thereof, and E E the prongs forming extensions of the flange on opposite sides of the eyelet and projecting in opposite directions. At the base of each prong the flange d is recessed or cut away at c, said recesses extending into the prongs, thereby reducing the size and strength of the prongs at such points. By this construction when the prongs are bent the bending takes place in such reduced portions, leaving the body of the prongs straight, and when the prongs are bent out parallel with each other, as in Fig. 4, they lie within the outer edge of the flange of the eyelet and the said flange may be pushed up close to the flap or seated against or within the cooperating eyelet, thereby materially reducing the combined thickness of the parts. \Vhen turned down into fastened position, the bending still takes place in the reduced portions of the prongs, thereby drawing the parts firmly together, and by reason of the prongs being on opposite sides of their eyelet the two eyelets are held in alinement and no looseness is permitted, as is the case when the prongs spring from points close together.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An improved envelop-fastener consisting of an eyelet having a flange with two prongs formed integral with said flange but located on opposite sides of the eyelet and projecting in opposite directions in the same located on opposite sides of the eyeletand projecting in opposite directions in the same plane as the flange, the base of the prongs :5 extending within the circumference of the flange of the eyelet, whereby when the prongs are bent up they will line within the circumference of the flange, substantially as de- GEORGE E. ADAMS.

2. An improved envelop-fastener consisting of an eyelet having a flange with two prongs formed integral with said flange but located on opposite sides of the eyelet and 5 projecting in opposite directions, the flange of the eyelet and base of the prongs being cut to reduce the base of the prongs and exthe flange, substantially as described. 10 3. An improved envelop-fastening consisting of an eyelet having a flange with two prongs formed integral with said flange but -Witnesses:

SADIE L. FINNIGAN, STANLEY PARKER. 

